Who says we can’t have our cake and eat it too? It used to be so simple for brands to produce goods and not care about their impact on the world. Oh, how times have changed!

As consumers become more aware of the environment as well as the social impact of consumer brands, they have begun to ask more of their favorite brands. That’s amazing! The younger generations are realizing that they can shop without the guilt of consumerism by looking for brands that give back. 

What are the Benefits of charitable fashion?

In general, charity has tremendous benefits not only for society but for the giver. Rush Medical Center in Chicago says that giving can help an individual improve self-esteem and satisfaction with life, lower the risk of depression, improve physical health, and give us the platform to live longer. 

We believe that these same benefits apply to brands and the consumer of socially responsible brands. Not only does being a socially responsible brand help retain employees but customers as well. And as a customer, there is nothing better than shopping and giving back at the same time. 

What are ways to shop responsibly?

For the most part, brands that are proud of not only their work but also the difference they make in the lives of others will tell you about it. For example, at nxtgenart, our mission for existing is to help kids establish long-lasting connections to the creative arts. We do so because we want kids to grow up to be well-rounded adults with a creative outlet for emotional expression. The way we give back is by committing 20% of our profits to charitable organizations focused on providing art programs to kids. Additionally, we pay our young artists a percentage of every sale that features their work, hoping that they can literally see the value in creating. Lastly, we print our Charitable Fashion on demand. That means that we produce less waste. A shirt is printed or produced unless it has a final home already waiting for it. We do this because we want to make sure our planet stays as clean as possible for the generation of young artists that we hope to support. I guess you could say we are fashion supporting the arts.

But enough about us.

If you are looking for ways to shop more sustainably here are a few things to look out for:

How to Shop as a Socially Responsible Consumer?

1. Learn the Brand's Mission

As mentioned above, finding the brand’s mission of seeing what it stands for usually involves a quick Google search or going to its website and clicking the About Us page. If you cannot find a link anywhere on their site about their mission or charitable partners, they’re likely to not have one. Does this mean you can buy their products? Not at all. It just doesn’t come with the extra feel-good tingles.

2. Thrift Shop

Shopping at thrift stores is all the rage amongst Gen Z right now. The more vintage the better. But not only is this style of shopping in style, it is also much better for the planet. Purchasing secondhand clothing not only keeps clothes out of landfills but also reduces the need for new production of clothes which can be a big pollutant. Lastly, a lot of thrift shops are partnered with charities or are charities themselves. 

3. Donate Before You Buy

Not only does this help solve the issue of not having enough space in the closet but it also involves consumer’s giving back directly. Generally, the thrift shops we mention above receive their inventory through donations. By donating clothes to them, you are helping give unwanted clothing a second life as well as clearing out space in the closet for your new haul. 

4. Look for Products Produced with Recycled Materials

These products will generally be labelled or tagged saying produced from recycled water bottles. We really love this because it means that something that was discarded transformed into something else. If you think about it, its like art. Its taking something from one form and transforming it into something completely different.

Luxury Brands are Becoming Philanthropies

In a great article by Vogue, they explore how even luxury brands that used to only be know for glamour and prestige are giving back. High-end crystal and jewelry designer, Swarovski, has started a foundation that focuses on education and public health as their way of giving back to the world. According to Vogue, “Luxury companies, both established and fledgling, today consider philanthropy part and parcel of their business and are beefing up their efforts.”

At the end of the day, many brands have decided that their business should stand for more than just their product. As consumers and humans on this planet, we should strive for all brands to care about more than just the bottom line. We believe the direction in which consumers are guiding companies is good for the companies, the consumer, and the planet as a whole. In conclusion, keep shopping and enjoying what this world has to offer but just be aware of who you’re buying from!